iCloud for Windows connects a Windows PC to the photos, files, passwords and other information in an Apple iCloud account. It brings that content into File Explorer, supported browsers and classic Microsoft Outlook, with separate controls for the services you want to synchronize. The PC uses the same Apple Account as your Apple devices, so it can work with information already stored in iCloud.
iCloud Photos
The iCloud Photos folder in File Explorer displays thumbnails of your cloud photos and videos. Opening a thumbnail downloads the item for viewing, and icons beside filenames show its download status. Downloaded media can also be viewed in Microsoft Photos. Photos and videos added through iCloud for Windows become available on your other devices with iCloud Photos enabled.
Changes made on an Apple device, including edits and deletions, appear on the PC automatically. Editing a downloaded image or video on Windows works differently: the edited file must be uploaded as a new item to appear in the cloud library.
Shared Photo Library
An iCloud Shared Photo Library holds photos and videos shared with up to five other people. After creating or joining it on an Apple device, you can access its contents alongside your personal library on Windows. Badges distinguish shared items and identify whether you or another participant contributed them.
You can move personal photos into the shared library from File Explorer. You can also return your own contributions to your personal library; another participant’s contributions cannot be moved into your personal library this way. The shared library uses the organizer’s iCloud storage.
Shared Albums
You create an album, add media and invite subscribers by email. Subscribers can view, download, like and comment on the contents, and the album owner decides whether they may add their own media. An optional public link makes the album viewable by anyone who has that link.
iCloud Drive
iCloud for Windows places iCloud Drive in File Explorer, where files and folders can be opened, organized and added to the account. Dragging files into Drive uploads them for access on other devices. Opening a file requires a downloaded copy and an application that can read its format. Pinning a file or folder keeps its contents downloaded to the PC.
Local storage and cloud storage have different removal controls. Free up space removes downloaded copies while leaving the items in iCloud. Moving an item out of iCloud Drive into another PC folder removes it from Drive across your connected devices.
File Explorer also contains Drive sharing controls. Owners can invite participants and assign roles for editing, viewing and downloading, or co-ownership. Shared folders apply their access settings to the contents; individual files inside them do not have separate participant lists. Only the owner can stop the entire share.
iCloud Passwords
The iCloud Passwords extension supplies saved account details to Chrome, Edge and Firefox. Choosing an account fills its username and password, with verification codes also available for accounts configured to use them. New credentials saved on the PC become available on Apple devices using iCloud Keychain.
The separate iCloud Passwords app lets you view and edit account records, attach notes, generate password suggestions and inspect password history. It can generate verification codes using a website’s authentication setup key. Changes to stored credentials stay synchronized, although editing a saved password does not change the password on the website itself. Existing shared password groups are accessible on Windows; creating groups and managing their participants requires an Apple device.
Connecting iCloud for Windows to Outlook
Calendar and contact synchronization connects iCloud information to classic Microsoft Outlook. Changes made on the PC update the corresponding information on your other devices, allowing Outlook to work with the same calendar and address book. This integration uses an existing iCloud email address and is enabled separately from file and photo synchronization.
Bookmarks
iCloud Bookmarks uses browser extensions to merge PC bookmarks with those stored in iCloud. Bookmarks added on Windows remain synchronized with your Apple devices.
Storage usage and iCloud+ plans
iCloud for Windows shows account storage usage as a segmented bar and provides a breakdown of the apps and services consuming it. iCloud includes 5 GB of free storage shared by photos, files, device backups and other account data; paid iCloud+ plans provide more space. You can change the storage plan from Windows. When the account runs out of space, new photos stop uploading and Drive files stop staying up to date across devices.
